Held at New York City’s Rockefeller Center, home to World Monuments Fund (WMF)’s global headquarters, the 2025 Summit welcomes experts and audiences from around the globe for a one-of-a-kind event.  

From discussions about lunar heritage in a new era of space exploration to stories on resilience in Bhutan to a deep dive into iconic heritage sites, the Summit offers a powerful look at the past, present, and future of cultural preservation in honor of WMF’s milestone 60th anniversary.

Join us for this signature event to learn about WMF’s work safeguarding the world’s irreplaceable heritage and engage with a global community of heritage experts and advocates. 

This event is free and open to the public; registration is required.

Event Schedule

1:30 to 2:40 pm ET | To the Moon and Back: Safeguarding Lunar Heritage 

An exploration of lunar heritage and conservation challenges in a new era of space exploration.  

Moderated by Jonathan S. Bell, PhD, WMF Senior Vice President of Global Preservation Strategy, with guest speakers Mia FIneman, Curator in the Department of Photographs at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gai Jorayev, President of ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on AeroSpace Heritage, and Elizabeth Lee, Vice President for Programs and Development at CyArk.

– Coffee break –

3:00 to 4:10 pm ET | Bhutan: A Model for Heritage Preservation

A deep dive into Bhutan’s cultural heritage as a guiding force for sustainable development. 

Moderated by Bénédicte de Montlaur, WMF President and CEO, with guest speakers Ariana Maki, Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho, Tshewang Wangchuk, Executive Director of the Bhutan Foundation, Jonathan Rose, President of Jonathan Rose Companies, Chair of the Bhutan Urban and Regional Planning Global Advisory Committee, and Zack McKown, Partner at Tsao & McKown Architects.

This panel was brought to life in collaboration with and co-presented by the Bhutan Foundation.

– Coffee break –

4:30 to 5:40 pm ET | Around the World in Six Heritage Sites: 60 Years of WMF

A time-traveling, world-spanning journey across the globe’s heritage with WMF’s Executive Directors.

Moderated by Bénédicte de Montlaur, WMF President and CEO, with guest speakers Magnus von Wistinghausen, Executive Director, WMF in Britain, Mathilde Augé, Executive Director, WMF in France, Malini Thadani, Executive Director, WMF in India, Juan Pablo de la Puente, Executive Director, WMF in Peru, Teresa Veiga de Macedo, Executive Director, WMF in Portugal, and Pablo Longoria, Executive Director, WMF in Spain.

– Reception to follow –

*Schedule subject to change. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact events@wmf.org.